Our Story

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

B.More was founded in March 2024 by a group of Portsmouth residents in various stages of recovery. We came together with a shared vision: to challenge stigma, strengthen support networks, and make recovery more accessible for everyone in our city.

In Portsmouth, many people facing addiction struggle to find the right help at the right time. Services exist, but navigating them can be overwhelming. That’s why B.More was created—to bridge the gap between people, services, and the wider community.

Creating a City where Recovery Thrives...

We believe that recovery should be visible, celebrated, and fully integrated into the community. Working alongside Portsmouth City Council (PCC) and local services, we are building an Inclusive Recovery City—a place where people in recovery are supported, opportunities are accessible, and stigma is actively challenged.

Our mission is to:

Make support easier to find – Providing clear guidance on addiction recovery services in Portsmouth.
Connect services and people – Strengthening partnerships between organisations and those seeking help.
Challenge outdated stigma – Promoting awareness and understanding of recovery through public engagement.
Host recovery-focused events – Bringing together services, individuals, and the wider community to encourage open conversations.

Too often, addiction is misunderstood, and those in recovery face unnecessary barriers. We know this because we’ve lived it. But recovery isn’t about where you’ve been—it’s about where you’re going. With the right support, people rebuild, grow, and contribute positively to their communities.

Want to learn more about Inclusive Recovery Cities? Take a look at the Inclusive Recovery City website: https://www.inclusivecities.info/what-is-an-inclusive-city.

Need help now? Chat with our AI chatbot to find the right support services in Portsmouth. Want to get involved? Join us at our next event and be part of the movement. Just fill in the Contact form to register your interest.

Meet the Team

Matthew Douglas

As Chairperson of B.More, I support our mission to keep the community connected and ensure focus, balance, and compassionate support across the team.

I moved to Portsmouth in 2024 and found recovery through local groups, activities, and services that made a life-changing difference. I now bring both my lived experience and the skills I’ve gained along the way to help strengthen B.More and the people it serves.

I’m passionate about building a community where recovery, connection, and shared experience are at the heart of moving forward together.

Benji Bebbington

Having been part of the team since the very beginning and serving as Chairperson for over a year, I have now moved into employment within the recovery sector in Portsmouth.

Although stepping back from the forefront, I remain committed to supporting the team’s growth and progress, and to strengthening its presence and impact across the city.

Darcy Hart

I support the B.More project while proudly representing Ambition Portsmouth. With a background in mental health and roots deep in the city, this work means the world to me.

B.More plays a key role in keeping Portsmouth’s recovery scene connected, and as someone born and bred here, I know how much that matters. I’m here to back the mission and keep the community spirit alive.

Isobel Marston

I build affordable AI tools and websites for organisations creating positive change.
For B.More, I developed their resource chatbot to connect people in Portsmouth to vital support, and designed their website to reflect their mission. As someone in recovery, I’m passionate about using technology to support inclusive, community-led work.

I run AI for Good Consulting to help organisations design custom AI solutions, and Pompey Web Studio, offering affordable websites, chatbots, and SEO for small businesses and local initiatives.

David Bremner

I’m part of the B.More project and represent Ambition Portsmouth, bringing with me years of personal recovery and professional experience.

After working in services for over a decade, I saw how fragmented support could be. I've always hoped we could create something more fluid—something that actually brings people together and works across the board. B.More is that hope in action.

Ruth Myerscough

I show up to B.More events, spread the word, and represent the kind of recovery that shines light through the dark. I’m passionate about making recovery visible and reducing stigma—because everyone deserves a chance to find their way out.

I work as a lived experience practitioner in the EUPD stream, supporting people in primary care and helping them access rehab funding. I’ve trained as a peer support worker, sit on a recovery board in Reading, and bring a wealth of experience (and love for animals) to everything I do. Recovery’s made my life manageable—and now I get to share what helps with others.

John Brosnan

I turn up, get involved, and always bring ideas to the table. I’m in recovery, I won the B.More Ambassador Award in 2024, and I’m proud to be part of this movement.

Living in one of Portsmouth’s toughest estates, I’ve seen the impact of generational addiction firsthand. B.More is a chance to break that cycle. I also work in harm reduction, helping people stay safer while moving toward recovery.

Our Partners

Our Story

Creating a City where Recovery Thrives...

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Meet the Team

Our Partners